OOOOO I just got a call from a Mr. Harry Lumsden....OFO Award winner, pioneer in ornithological research, biologist, research scientist, Member of the Order of Canada...........(holy!) Has been head research dude for the Trumpeter Swan program at the Wye Marsh.

See I had reported my sighting of TRSW's A15 and 504.....504 is the male and A15 Female. (both have been re-tagged over the last 10+ years.

504 showed up as about a 3 year old, and A15 was born in captivity (1998) and then released. Giving you the short story (as opposed to Mr. Lumsdens version!LOL) the two appear to be mates, winter in the South (Hogg's Bay, Burlington!) and have successfully bred an average of 4 cygnets per year since @ 2001 except for one year when A15 was spotted with 8 Cygnets. It appears they breed at Tiny Marsh, although they frequent the Wye Marsh as well (gotta see the in-laws y'know!!!)

Anyways...I was quite pleased to get a phone call thanking me and a history of the lovely couple!!!!

~do not make tragedies of trifles ~ do not shoot butterflies with rifles~author unknown~

I know it has been a while sine you've posted, but I thought I would let you know that today outside my home in Wasaga Beach, we saw swan A15 outside!! We live on the river and this time she was incredibly clean! In the 33 years my parents have lived here, we have only seen a trumpeter on two other occasions. This time she was alone but looked very healthy and inquisitive.

Nice to see she is still swimming the rivers around the area! I wonder where 504 is?